Robert O. Nelson
Robert O. Nelson passed away on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at Ludington Woods. The third of five children, he was born to Oscar and Ingeborg (Tjernald) Nelson on March 29, 1920 in Ludington. He graduated from Ludington High School in 1937 and from Davenport College in Grand Rapids in 1939. The day after Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, Robert enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served as a navigator in the Air Transport Command. Before his discharge in 1946, he made 202 crossings of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans ferrying troops back and forth to different theaters of war. He returned home on leave in June 1944 to marry Marian C. Hesslund who preceded him in death on February 29, 2008. During Robert’s military career, he attained the rank of First Lieutenant and earned the following medals: American Theater Ribbon, Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater Ribbon with One Bronze Star, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with one Bronze Battle Star, two overseas service bars and the World War II Victory Medal. In 1946, Robert returned to Ludington to Work construction with Oscar nelson and Son Construction until 1956 when his father retired. He then bought the company and renamed it Robert O Nelson Construction Company which he owned and operated until he retired in 1981. A businessman at heart, Robert was active on many boards: First National Bank of Ludington, Great Lakes Foundry of Ludington, Ludington Michigan Cable Vision, North Ottowa Cable Company as founder and president and Seven Investment Corp as founder and president. He developed several real estate projects in the area including Long Fellow Towers. Robert was an active member of Cornerstone Baptist Church serving in many capacities: Vice Chairman of the church, Deacon, Trustee, Sunday Service Superintendent, Youth Sponsor, and Sunday School Teacher for 50 years. He was preceded in death by his brother Edward; sisters, Margaret Carlson and Eleanor Logenow. Surviving are three children, Donald R. (Glenna Lou) Nelson, Patti (Larry) French and Ginni Nelson; 12 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren; 1 great great granddaughter; sister, Lillian Barton; brother-in-law, Al Logenow; sister-in-law, Dorothy Nelson and several nieces and nephews. A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday October 2, 2015 at Cornerstone Baptist Church with Reverend Jim Carlson officiating. The family will receive guests for visitation from 10:00 until time of services and a will have a luncheon immediately following services. Memorial contributions in Robert’s name may be directed to Harbor Hospice or Gideon Bibles. Please feel free to share a photo or a memory with Robert’s family at www.oakgrovefh.com. The family has entrusted funeral arrangements with Oak Grove Funeral Home and Cremation Center.Obituary
Robert O. Nelson passed away on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at Ludington Woods. The third of five children, he was born to Oscar and Ingeborg (Tjernald) Nelson on March 29, 1920 in Ludington. He graduated from Ludington High School in 1937 and from Davenport College in Grand Rapids in 1939. The day after Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, Robert enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served as a navigator in the Air Transport Command. Before his discharge in 1946, he made 202 crossings of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans ferrying troops back and forth to different theaters of war. He returned home on leave in June 1944 to marry Marian C. Hesslund who preceded him in death on February 29, 2008. During Robert’s military career, he attained the rank of First Lieutenant and earned the following medals: American Theater Ribbon, Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater Ribbon with One Bronze Star, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with one Bronze Battle Star, two overseas service bars and the World War II Victory Medal. In 1946, Robert returned to Ludington to Work construction with Oscar nelson and Son Construction until 1956 when his father retired. He then bought the company and renamed it Robert O Nelson Construction Company which he owned and operated until he retired in 1981. A businessman at heart, Robert was active on many boards: First National Bank of Ludington, Great Lakes Foundry of Ludington, Ludington Michigan Cable Vision, North Ottowa Cable Company as founder and president and Seven Investment Corp as founder and president. He developed several real estate projects in the area including Long Fellow Towers. Robert was an active member of Cornerstone Baptist Church serving in many capacities: Vice Chairman of the church, Deacon, Trustee, Sunday Service Superintendent, Youth Sponsor, and Sunday School Teacher for 50 years. He was preceded in death by his brother Edward; sisters, Margaret Carlson and Eleanor Logenow. Surviving are three children, Donald R. (Glenna Lou) Nelson, Patti (Larry) French and Ginni Nelson; 12 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren; 1 great great granddaughter; sister, Lillian Barton; brother-in-law, Al Logenow; sister-in-law, Dorothy Nelson and several nieces and nephews. A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday October 2, 2015 at Cornerstone Baptist Church with Reverend Jim Carlson officiating. The family will receive guests for visitation from 10:00 until time of services and a will have a luncheon immediately following services. Memorial contributions in Robert’s name may be directed to Harbor Hospice or Gideon Bibles. Please feel free to share a photo or a memory with Robert’s family at www.oakgrovefh.com. The family has entrusted funeral arrangements with Oak Grove Funeral Home and Cremation Center.